Literary Discourse: Of Tautology [Part One]

Introduction
Tautology is one of the common sources of common errors in spoken and written English as a Second Language (ESL). It is committed by the teacher and the learner, the officer and the messenger, the chief and the subject in Ghanaian English. In most cases, it is not that offenders do not know, but that they are careless about their diction (word choice). It is for this reason that Literary Discourse , today, discusses selected common errors of tautology in Ghana. The discourse is to remind fellow learners and readers of some pitfalls of tautology.

Discussion
Do you know that in a context, the phrase "but rather" amounts to tautology? Do you know that tautology is grammatically undesirable? Hahahahahahahah! Yes! When "but rather" is used to indicate CONTRAST, it becomes a laughable example of tautology. Let us consider the following illustrative sentences:

• Tungteeya does not like coke, BUT RATHER she likes fanta. (Error of Tautology).

This error can be corrected in many ways:

• Tungteeya does not like coke BUT fanta.
• Tungteeya does not like coke; she RATHER likes fanta.
• Tungteeya likes fanta BUT not coke.
• Tungteeya does not like coke; RATHER she likes fanta.

Colleague learner, please, do well to avoid tautology, which is described by Oxford Dictionary of English (2015) as a "fault of style." If you are still in doubt about the tautological relationship between "but" and "rather", you may search for "Devices of Contrast." With all certainty in humility, Literary Discourse is convinced that the two words are listed as devices of application for the effect of CONTRAST.

“Should in Case”
In the context of condition, “in case” and “should” are of similar meanings and functions (synonyms). This implies that each of them can be used as an element of conditional construction. Below are examples:

• IN CASE Tampuli comes here, I will send him to Zogbeli

Or

• SHOULD Tampuli come here, I will send him to Zogbeli.

It is instructive to state that in both sentences the element of condition can be replaced by “if.” Example:

• IF Tampuli comes here, I will send him to Zogbeli.

Dear reader, in view of the above explanation, it has become clear that the phrase “SHOULD IN CASE” is ungrammatical, as it amounts to an error of TAUTOLOGY.

To be continued.
By Abubakar Mohammed Marzuq Azindoo, Acting Registrar, Hudaibiya College, Accra

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